Man jailed after murdering father-in-law in Wolverhampton
William Connors deliberately drove at Thomas Connors outside his home.
Last updated 19th Apr 2024
A man has been jailed after murdering his father-in-law by driving a car at him in Wolverhampton last year.
William Connors, 28, has today (19 April) been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder of 63-year-old Thomas Connors last year.
On 11 September, Connors drove to Thomas Connors’ address on Compton Road in his white Mercedes.
When he arrived, Thomas Connors, also known as Tommy, walked down his driveway with a large axe.
CCTV footage shows Connors, instead of driving away knowing he was not welcome at the address, deliberately driving at his father-in-law.
Tragically, Thomas Connors died the following day from his injuries in hospital.
Connors didn’t stop at the scene – he drove away and dumped his car and made his way to Coventry.
On 12 September, he handed himself in at Coventry Police Station and claimed he did not realise he had killed his father-in-law.
Connors told officers he panicked as he thought Thomas Connors was going to kill him as he was chasing his car.
However, CCTV footage shows that Mr Connors was not chasing the Mercedes, in fact he was walking on the pavement and Connors steered directly at him.
In tribute to Thomas Connors, his family said: “Tommy, devoted husband, father and grandfather has been taken from us.
“Tommy’s family, nuclear and extended, are so hurt and devastated by the atrocious, cruel and heinous death of Tommy.
“He was highly respected in his community and was well liked and full of character, his death has affected everyone.
“There are no words to describe the pain we are all feeling.
“Tommy is and always will be deeply missed, he didn’t die from sickness, he didn’t die from old age, he died because his life was taken from him, he was murdered.”
Detective Chief Inspector Laura Harrison, from the force's homicide unit said: “William Connors used his vehicle as a weapon to kill his father-in-law.
“He was angry and lost his temper and instead of driving away to calm down, he deliberately drove at Mr Connors without thinking of the consequences.
“My thoughts are with the family after this appalling incident and I hope they can feel some sense of justice following today’s sentence."